Traditional Healing of Yoni Steam for New Mothers
Yoni steam can help cleanse and restore the postpartum body.
What is a Yoni Steam
A yoni steam, also known as a vaginal steam, is where you sit or kneel over a pot of steaming water, usually mixed with organic herbs or epsom salt or both. A yoni steam is believed to help cleanse uterine walls, increase blood circulation, tonify the pelvic floor, and support organs to return to their pre-pregnancy position (and size in the case of the uterus). It may help with hormonal balance as well as with headaches.
Used as a practice in South Africa, Indonesia, Mozambique, Thailand, Korea, as well as in countries in Central and South America, a yoni steam is used as a post childbirth remedy after lochia diminishes to help tone the womb and repair damaged tissue for the birthing mother. The warmth from the yoni steam and properties of the herbs help infuse the body in a way that can be supportive and healing both physically and emotionally.
Contraindications of a Yoni Steam
Although there are many benefits of a yoni steam, it is not recommended in the following instances:
Do not do a yoni steam if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. The steam may be too much heat for your baby if you are pregnant, and it may clear out sperm in your vagina or cervix if you are trying to conceive.
Do not do a yoni steam if you are menstruating unless you are at the end of your bleed and the blood is dark, not bright red any longer. Due to the cleansing of the vaginal walls and uterus, a yoni steam may temporarily increase your menstrual flow, can cause menstruation to come early, or may result in darker fluid or light/small fragments during your next cycle.
Do not do a yoni steam if you have an IUD.
If you had a cesarean birth, place a cloth or something over your incision site if you find that the scar tissue is still sensitive to heat, especially, if doing the kneeling version instead of the sitting version of the yoni steam. If it is still too hot, do not continue with a yoni steam.
Do not do a yoni steam if you have an active infection with a burning itch. A yoni steam may clear up infection, but an infection with a burning itch could get worse with heat.
Do not do a yoni steam if it does not feel good to you or feels too hot. Listen to your body and your guidance to determine what is best for you.
Creating a Yoni Steam at Home
Creating your own yoni steam is relatively easy to do in the comfort of your own home, and is a practice that takes about 20 to 30 minutes in total.
Set Up Your Space
Create a safe space for you and those in your home. You want a place where children or pets won’t be able to get to the steaming pot/bowl.
Create a healing space that feels good to you - your time is sacred, so take a moment to honor your body and acknowledge the strength within your physical, mental, and spiritual self. Light candles, play music, or do what feels good to you and makes your space feel calm and healing.
Set up a place that is warm, such as a bathroom with the door closed.
Dress warmly - socks are a must, a knit hat is recommended as well if it isn’t a very hot day, and a robe or large towel or two that can cover your body completely including your neck and wrap around the steaming container as well are all good ways to help create and capture warmth.
Set up the area where you will use your yoni steam. You will either kneel or site over your yoni steam. If kneeling, you will want to lay out a yoga mat or towel to give your knees some cushion and have a pillow for your head. If sitting, you need a flat surface and your seat set up.
TIP: prepare your space first, so you are ready to go before you pour your hot water into your steam, so it will still be the perfect temperature when you are ready.
Make Your Yoni Steam
Select the container for your steam. You can use a ceramic bowl or container if kneeling over your steal or using a seated option such as a steaming stool or plastic slatted chair (without metal in the seat). You can also sit on a large pot with a towel around the edge for a seat. Make sure whatever you select for your yoni steam is something that will be stable, is non-toxic (no plastic or chemical coated items), can support your weight if you are fully sitting on it, and is not going to become too hot to the skin when exposed to heat.
Bring approximately 8 cups of water (ideally without chlorine) to a rapid boil on the stove (most recommended) or in the microwave.
Add a handful of fresh herbs, approximately 2 cups, or ¼ cup of dried herbs into your boiling water, turn off the burner, and let it steep for about 5 minutes. Optionally, you can steep your herbs in the water ahead of time and charge them in the moonlight if this is a practice that resonates with you. You will still bring the mixture to a slow boil and let them sit for a few minutes until the steam temperature feels pleasant.
NOTE: organic herbs are best for this practice and highly recommended - do NOT use essential oils as the potency is not regulated, so it can burn the skin if used in a steam.
Pour about half of the water into your container (or until the container is about ⅔ full if you are using a smaller container). Pour the remaining water into a teapot or thermos to keep it warm. You will use it to increase the temperature of your water as it cools when you are doing your yoni steam.
Slowly wave or move your wrist about 6 inches above the water to make sure the temperature feels good on your skin - this is to test the water temperature to ensure it isn’t too hot and is a pleasant temperature.
When ready, bring your steaming herb water to the area you have set up for your yoni steam.
Enjoy Your Sacred Time
Remove your clothing from the waste down.
Ensure your container is on an even surface over a towel or something absorbent. Sit over your steam or , if kneeling, kneel on the ground with both knees about 6 inches in front of your container with your container between the lower portion of your legs (think in between upper calves). Lower your bottom towards your heels until your vagina is approximately 6-8 inches above your container (whatever feels good to you heat wise). You can stretch your arms out as you place your forehead on the floor or use your arms to cushion your head (or use a pillow) if that is more comfortable.
Drape your robe/towels around you and the container to keep the steam in.
Take a moment to breathe deeply and give thanks or acknowledgement to all you are doing: raising a beautiful being and growing your family.
Sit or kneel as long as it is comfortable (usually 10 - 20 minutes).
Add warm water to your steam if that is desired.
Once you are done steaming, make sure you dry off completely before getting dressed.
Take another moment to just be before transitioning back into your every day world.
What To Use In Your Yoni Steam
Herbs that are edible are safe for steaming. There are a variety of herbs with different healing properties, so choose what you already have on hand or find what is sounds best for you and your needs. Here i
Basil: reduces pain of after birth cramps, antibacterial, can help move fluids
Calendula: helps prevent infection, aids in healing of tissues, anti-inflammatory properties
Chamomile: helps with inflammation, muscle spasms, insomnia, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal disorders
Marigolds: cleansing to tissues, anti-inflammatory as well
Mugwort: can aid in improving digestion, can help boost energy
Lavender: aids in healthy uterine function, antimicrobial and antiseptic to vaginal tissues, nourishing to the nervous system
Lemon Balm: is calming and nourishing to the nervous system, can help boost cognitive function, can help minimize menstrual cramps
Lemongrass: helps stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow, relieves pain and swelling
Oregano: can help move toxins out of the body and has both antiviral and antifungal properties
Rose Petals: can move toxins out of the body, boosts the immune system, can promote healthy skin
Rosemary: increases circulation in the pelvic bowl, regenerates new cells, is antiseptic
Sea Salt: can improve circulation, helps cleanse tissues (add a teaspoon of salt with your herbs if you want to include salt - do not use iodized salt)
Yoni Steam Support
Please reach out with questions or needs around yoni steaming or other support needs as a new mother. You are not in this alone, and it is a lot to birth a baby and be its provider for all things. Know that you are doing an amazing job and your baby chose you for a reason. Much love to all you mamas!
Danielle Hughes is the Founder of Mothering Life and a mother of two. She is a Craniosacral Therapist and an INNATE Postpartum Care practitioner. She provides information, bodywork, and resources to expectant and new mothers, so motherhood can be the celebration that it is meant to be.